Baltic Sea Leaks of Methane Show a Need for More Regulation

Posted: October 10, 2022 9:59 am

Baltic Sea Pipeline Leaks Highlight the Dangers of Methane

Earlier on September 27, 2022, three major leaks erupted in two different pipelines that carry natural gas from Russia to Germany. The pipelines are located in the Baltic Sea, which complicates repairs while the gas continues to escape into the sea and air. It’s difficult to estimate how much gas was lost and even more challenging to come up with an accurate estimate of how much methane reaches the atmosphere to become smog and ground-level ozone.

Any estimates need to be taken with a grain of salt because of a long history of companies and governments minimizing estimates of dangerous pollutants released into the air. These major leaks in the Baltic Sea could be responsible for hundreds of thousands of tons of methane reaching the atmosphere.

Once methane reaches the lower level of the atmosphere, it becomes effective at trapping heat and increasing the average temperature of the area. Repeating this process dozens, hundreds and thousands of times across the planet is the primary cause of global warming and climate change.

The methane leaks in the Baltic have potential to become the worst leaks in history, but they pale in comparison to ongoing leaks and emissions generated by the oil and gas industries around the world. The kicker is that this pollution is recognized as routine and even necessary for economic health.

The Truth About Methane

Climate scientists claim that methane emissions of oil and gas companies have been far more extensive than reported, which directly challenges company claims that emissions have been reduced. Methane, a greenhouse gas, speeds up climate warming and causes direct health problems from exposure. According to a post at giss.nasa.gov, ozone is primarily responsible for global warming and climate change, and methane combines with other atmospheric elements to produce ground-level ozone.

Ozone Benefits and Threats

Ozone has a reputation of being both beneficial and harmful. Atmospheric ozone combines into an ozone layer that circumnavigates the plant and provides protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. However, ground-level ozone generates some of the worst effects on health.

Ozone, a hazardous pollutant, contributes to more than one million premature deaths annually. Ozone affects the climate, and the climate in turn affects ozone in a vicious cycle. That’s why methane emissions are such a big problem because the chemical generates 80 times more warming than a comparable amount of Carbon dioxide.

Theories that originated in the 1970s by research scientists developed the generally accepted premise that chemicals are damaging the ozone shield that exists in the upper atmosphere. The scientific approach settled on the idea that chemicals were the primary cause of an ozone hole in the upper atmosphere in the 1980s. Scientists assure the public that the production of offending chemicals has now stopped.

Scientists expect the ozone layer to repair itself by the 2060s, but there are no guarantees because industry regularly generates new pollutants that could affect how well the layer will protect Earth from the dangers of ultraviolet rays. In the meantime, ground-level ozone combines with other greenhouse gasses to create smog, which blankets the Earth and serves as insulation to increase average temperatures.

On the positive side, methane is a primary ingredient of natural gas, which complicates efforts to control emissions. That’s why the search for alternative fuels is so important to the future of the planet. Scientists affirm that methane has generated 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times, and the pollutant is even now becoming more prevalent.

Under-reporting Methane Leaks and Emissions

Leaks of methane are quite common, and the world’s governmental authorities often underestimate how much methane escapes according to a Cornell University biology professor. The Environmental Protection Agency only requires voluntary reporting of methane losses and not independent verification.

Scientists measuring methane leaks and emissions from satellite imagery in space found that methane emissions from oil and gas operations are usually at least twice what companies reported, said Thomas Lauvaux, a scientist at University of Reims in France. In the Permian Basin, the largest oil and gas field in the United States, methane emissions were two to three times higher than what companies reported, he said.

Space measurements calculated by researchers suggest that most companies report only half of their real-world methane losses. The Permian Basin, which has the largest reserves of oil and gas in the United States, usually reports one-half to one-third of methane leaks and emissions.

Turkmenistan ranks as one of the worst polluters, and Saudi Arabia has sufficient technology to recapture most leaking methane. The United States methane pollution rate falls between the two extremes. Scientists now have the capability to monitor thousands of smaller leaks using satellite imagery, and advanced technology most recently detected 1,500 leaks in the past year.

Most methane leaks and emissions come from natural gas pipelines or compressor stations. Many methane leaks are purposely controlled during routine maintenance of the pipelines and equipment. A good example is that when a pipeline needs repair, operators bleed out the gas to weld the repair safely.

However, most companies don’t bother capturing the gas because the effort is expensive and the losses are minimal. This practice is currently legal in the United States and other countries., but it’s definitely worth considering banning the practice and requiring some recapture effort.

The Effects of Methane and Ozone

Ozone in breathable air can cause breathing difficulties and aggravate
asthma attacks. Symptoms of the negative health effects of ozone — especially on sunny days — include throat irritation, coughing, congestion and chest pain. The chemical also worsens emphysema and bronchitis, reduces lung capacity, inflames lung linings and possibly scar lung tissue permanently.

Breathing ozone can affect outdoor work, sports activities and exercise, and children are especially susceptible to lung problems. That’s why it’s recommended to avoid strenuous activities when it’s extremely hot — especially for children, people with existing lung disorders, elderly people and those deciding to exercise.

Breathing high levels of methane reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to your lungs, which can result in nausea, mood changes, slurred speech, vomiting, memory loss, headache, balance issues and even loss of consciousness. These symptoms also include all the breathing problems mentioned that ozone can cause.

Environmental Effects of Ozone and Methane

Ozone and methane can damage vegetation and entire ecosystems by retarding a plant’s ability to open pores in leaves for taking in oxygen. This often results in stippling, bronzing, flecking or browning or reddening of plant leaves. The results can destroy a crop’s yield, reduce the harvest and increase the plant’s susceptibility to pests, diseases and stressors like extreme weather or drought.

Some plants — such as soybeans, peanuts and cotton — are more susceptible to ozone and methane pollution than others like corn, wheat and sorghum, which resist negative effects. You can get further information from the USDA about the effects of ozone on plants.

The Ongoing Effort to Reduce Pollution

The government has established standards for any recognized pollutant that limit the deliberate or inadvertent release of these air pollutants, but the voluntary nature of required reporting for methane doesn’t work. One alternative is passing state laws to regulate methane more strictly. You can find out more about pollution and air quality standards at epa.gov.

Recent Posts